President Donald Trump on Thursday withdrew his nomination of Casey Means for US surgeon general, announcing a potential replacement. The decision follows a contentious confirmation hearing in February where senators from both parties questioned Means' stance on vaccines and her decision to leave her surgical residency.
Trump's Announcement
In a post on his Truth Social platform, Trump stated that Means will continue to advocate for the Make America Healthy Again (MAHA) movement, led by Health Secretary Robert F. Kennedy Jr. Trump criticized Republican Senator Bill Cassidy of Louisiana for opposing Means' nomination, calling it "intransigence and political games." He then nominated Dr. Nicole Saphier, a radiologist and Fox News contributor, for the post.
Background on Casey Means
Means was nominated last May, but her confirmation stalled after a difficult hearing. Senators Lisa Murkowski and Susan Collins, both Republicans, had unresolved concerns, preventing unanimous Republican committee support. The nomination faced scrutiny over her vaccine views and her decision to abandon her surgical residency.
Dr. Nicole Saphier's Profile
Saphier becomes the third person Trump has nominated for surgeon general. She is a radiologist and director of breast imaging at Memorial Sloan Kettering, a member of a CDC advisory committee, and a longtime Fox News contributor. In 2020, she authored the bestselling book Make America Healthy Again: How Bad Behavior and Big Government Caused a Trillion-Dollar Crisis, arguing that socialized medicine is unnecessary if healthy eating habits are adopted.
Kennedy, whose anti-vaccine record has been linked to a measles outbreak and bipartisan condemnation, has softened his public messaging on immunization. Saphier's mainstream medical credentials make her a more politically convenient standard-bearer for the MAHA brand. Trump praised her as "a STAR physician" and "an incredible communicator," highlighting her decade as a Fox News contributor alongside her clinical record.
Public Health Context
The appointment comes amid disarray in the public health apparatus. The National Institutes of Health has faced months-long leadership gaps, and the CDC has cycled through four directors or acting directors since Trump took office. The CDC has been without a permanent, Senate-confirmed leader since August 2025, prompting resignations in protest. Currently, 80% of top positions at the agency remain vacant.
The Associated Press contributed reporting.
